Paperwork

Summary: After Bella loses her memory in an accident, Edward must recount a journey with her that he has forgotten as well. Along the way they find the reasons they fell in love

Chapter 14: Date

September 9, 2006

Our first date was nothing less than a disaster.

I was nervous as fuck.

That's the thing about girls, they got fussy and worried about their appearance and behavior and words and all that other bull shit, thinking it came so easy for us. We guys got just as fussy.

Just as nervous.

My hands shook as I waited for her to come down to the steps.

"Hi," she said, closing the door behind her and offering a bright smile. I smiled too. She had that affect. I realized then I should have told her how beautiful she was. How she took my breath away. How I couldn't believe she had accepted a date with me, but none of those words seemed right. Nothing I could say could possibly explain how she looked to me that night. So I guess I said nothing and hoped the silence could get across what words could not.

"So what do you want to do?" she asked. We fell into step together, walking down the block of the peaceful neighborhood.

"Um, I don't know. Dinner?" I was an idiot. Bumbling and babbling and feeling inadequate.

She smiled and the feelings went away. I should have known then and there that this was different. She was different. I should have known, I should have seen it coming, but I didn't.

"Sounds great. There's a diner not too far from here. We can walk if you would like," she offered and I nodded. I had nothing to say.

We attempted small talk the way there, but failed. I couldn't seem to come up with anything. I couldn't seem to say anything. My mind was a plethora of questions, wanting to know everything from her favorite color to whether she preferred the writing of Hemingway or Fitzgerald. I could have asked one of the questions, something, but I was nervous and though I didn't know it at the time, I was on the first date with the last girl—and most likely the first, because the other times just didn't feel like this—I would ever love.

I hoped the diner would provide more conversations.

It did. For a while.

"I had a huge crush on you," she told me, dipping a fry in ketchup. I laughed.

Because here's the thing about Bella Swan. She wasn't just any girl. She was the girl. The girl each guy had at least thought about wanting, but pushed it away because somehow they knew they would never stand a chance with her. To be honest, it wasn't her looks, although she was far from plain, it was the aura of unattainable that surrounded her that made her all more attractive. And she didn't realize it. She was quiet and sweet and guys like me dreamed about introducing her to the family. She was the kind of girl you hoped you met later down the road because once you had her, you would want to keep her, and in high school, for a 17-year-old boy, that could be very intimidating

"Really?" Because had I known, had I actually stood a chance with her I would have run to accept it.

"Yeah. I was absolutely infatuated. I thought you would see right through me. To be honest I feel like I'm in high school all over again." She blushed and looked away.

"I do too," I admitted to her, because I was intimidated. Because though I would never admit it to myself or even to her, I thought about sliding a ring on her finger and I thought about a life together. I thought about always being able to keep the girl like her.

Suddenly our intense moment was interrupted by the waitress that was too eager and too excited.

"The check," the bubbly waitress said. She placed it down with an overbearing smile and strutted away.

"I got it," I said, reaching forward enthusiastically. My hand accidently tipped a cup of soda over, the contents spilling on my date's lap. She stood rapidly and desperately grabbed napkins.

"Shit! I'm sorry! Fuck, I shouldn't swear, shit!" I was babbling like an idiot, trying my best to apologize and hold back the despair that had crept at the thought of ruining my first (Please, not my last) date with her. She was laughing, hard, breaking me out of my trance and staring at her with wide eyes.

"It's okay. We're even," she said with a wink. I was confused at first and then I remembered.

"Well let's try not to make it a habit," I joked. She laughed. I got that strange feeling.

We cleaned the mess with the help of the waitress and walked out. We held hands on our walk back. This time the chatter didn't lull. Our steps slowed, both of us not wanting the night to end.

We made it to her apartment.

And suddenly we were plunged into this awkward moment, wondering who should make the first move, if a move should be made. And we stared at each other and laughed awkwardly and suddenly, I didn't really care. I wanted to kiss her.

I leaned close and placed a kiss on her lips. It was soft as our lips met for the first time. Finding each other and feeling like a reunion. It was slow and peaceful and we reluctantly pulled away. Her hands dropped from my hair and she blushed.

Suddenly a small drop of water ran down her cheek. I was confused. Was she crying? Had I fucked up again? Damn it, why couldn't I get it right? But then I realized she was just as confused as I was. She looked up and I felt a sharp sting on my own cheek. Water. I looked up and it started.

Pouring.

Soaking us to the bone.

She laughed. And then looked at me.

"I've never been kissed in the rain," she said and I smiled because though our date was embarrassing and I fucked up more ways than one, I knew how to end it perfectly.

I kissed her again and knew there was no coming back from her.

As I deepened the kiss and felt her body form around me, a forgotten thought crept back into my mind.

I guess I was right. Love was kisses in the rain.

Poor Awkward Edward.

So it wasn't the perfect romantic evening, but I think it was sweet.

Share your thoughts, I love reading them.

-Tanya